On the Record: Mavis Staples, Daughn Gibson, India Arie and more

Mavis StaplesOne True Vine
(ANTI Records)Sounds like: Heaven! This daughter of Chicago is soon-to-be 74, and her rebirth in the 2000s has been awe-inspiring. This second one, with Jeff Tweedy, is no different.Free association: The best tracks are the happier ones up front.For fans of: Dionne x Aretha + Etta, Jack White with Loretta Lynn, graceful old soul.

India.ArieSongVersation
(Island/Def-Jam)Sounds like: The neo-soul revelation of the early aughts is damn near 40 now, and her fifth, while peppered with Turkish instruments, is bland and uninspired.Free association: It’s hard to hate on her inoffensive, uplifting ways. Someone has to be the counterpoint.For fans of: Me’Shell Ndegeocello x Roberta Flack + Angie Stone, headdress mystics.

Kelly RowlandTalk a Good Game
(Republic Records)Sounds like: The 32-year-old Houston-via-Atlanta R&B princess is one of her genre’s brightest stars. Her inspired, sultry and brutally honest fourth is killer.Free association: Some real gems are here; the track with Bey and Michelle is supa-tight.For fans of: D’s Child x Whitney, The-Dream/Pharrell/Pusha T.

PalmsPalms
(Ipecac Recordings)Sounds like: The perfect midpoint between the two bands it was born from, Deftones and ISIS, merge for a debut of not-that-heavy droney prog metal.Free association: You could even dislike either band’s sound yet love this one.For fans of: Mastodon x QOTSA/Rob Zombie/Primus/Lamb of God.